A Novel Smart High-Voltage Circuit Breaker for Smart Grid Applications

In this paper, we propose a new “intelligent operation” concept for high-voltage SF₆ gas circuit breakers, in which the moving contacts are self-adaptively controlled from one position to an adjacent position to improve the circuit breaker life cycles. To analyze the concept intelligent operation, a new model of high-voltage SF₆ gas circuit breaker is developed, and the moving characteristics of the new type circuit breaker are computed based on the newly designed model. Then both mechanical and electrical wears are quantitatively analyzed according to the breaker´s new moving characteristic. Finally, we demonstrate the life cycle improvement of the new type of high-voltage SF₆ gas circuit breaker. Our analysis can also be used to estimate the remaining life cycle of a breaker based on the tallied data collected by our intelligent modules.